How long does it take to go blind from cataracts?

Cataracts are a common eye condition that affects many people, especially as they age. But just how long does it take to go blind from cataracts? The answer isn’t straightforward. It depends on several factors, including the type of cataract, your overall health, and how quickly you seek treatment.

Understanding Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens. This lens is behind the iris and the pupil. When a cataract develops, the lens becomes less transparent. This can cause vision problems. Common symptoms include blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night, and colours appearing less bright.

There are different types of cataracts, such as nuclear, cortical, and posterior subcapsular. Each type progresses at a different rate. For some, cataracts develop slowly over many years. For others, they can progress more rapidly.

Early Stages of Cataracts

In the early stages, cataracts might not affect your vision significantly. You may not even notice you have a cataract. Regular eye exams are crucial. They can detect cataracts before they start to impair your vision.

During these early stages, you might experience minimal symptoms. These can include needing more light to read or noticing glare from headlights when driving at night. At this stage, your eye care professional might recommend changes to your glasses prescription or the use of brighter lighting.

Progression and Impact on Vision

As cataracts progress, your vision will worsen. The lens becomes more opaque. This further blocks light from reaching your retina. Your vision becomes more blurry and cloudy. Colours can fade, and you might struggle with everyday tasks.

The rate at which cataracts progress varies. Factors such as age, diabetes, smoking, and prolonged exposure to sunlight can speed up the process. Some people may notice a rapid decline in vision over a few months. Others might experience a more gradual deterioration over several years.

Severe Vision Loss and Blindness

If left untreated, cataracts can lead to severe vision loss and even blindness. However, complete blindness from cataracts is rare in developed countries. This is because cataracts are usually diagnosed and treated before they reach this stage.

In the later stages of cataracts, you may find it challenging to see anything clearly. Reading, driving, and recognising faces can become almost impossible. You might see everything through a dense fog. In extreme cases, cataracts can cause total blindness. This is more common in places where access to medical care is limited.

Treatment Options

The good news is that cataracts are treatable. The most effective treatment is surgery. During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial one. This surgery is safe and has a high success rate.

Cataract surgery is usually recommended when your vision problems interfere with your daily activities. The decision to have surgery depends on how much your cataracts affect your quality of life. Your eye care professional will help you decide the best time for surgery.

Preventing Cataracts

While you can’t prevent cataracts entirely, you can take steps to reduce your risk. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays. Eat a healthy diet rich in antioxidants. Avoid smoking, and manage health conditions like diabetes. Regular eye exams are also essential. They help detect cataracts early and monitor their progression.

Seeking Help

If you’re experiencing symptoms of cataracts, don’t wait. Early detection and treatment are crucial. Book a free video appointment with our specialists today. We can assess your symptoms and discuss your treatment options. Cataracts are a common issue, but they don’t have to lead to blindness. With the right care, you can maintain clear vision and enjoy life without the cloudiness.

Cataracts can take many years to progress to the point of severe vision loss or blindness. The key is early detection and timely treatment. Regular eye exams and a healthy lifestyle can help manage your risk. Cataract surgery is a safe and effective solution that can restore your vision.

Remember, don’t ignore the symptoms of cataracts. Blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night, and fading colours are signs to watch for. Take control of your eye health today.

Are you worried about cataracts? Do you want to know more about your treatment options? Book a free video appointment with us today. Our experts are here to help you see clearly again. Don’t let cataracts cloud your vision. Take the first step towards better eye health now.

By addressing cataracts early, you can prevent severe vision loss and enjoy a clearer view of the world. Regular check-ups, a healthy lifestyle, and prompt treatment are your best defences against cataract-related blindness. Don’t wait—reach out and take action today. Your eyes will thank you.

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What our patients say…

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Had cataract surgery on both eyes simultaneously last week and, 7 days later, the vision is brilliant. I can see to read as well, including small print smaller than I expected! I can see car number plates at the end of the road. Everything was excellent, and I could not have wished for anything better.

Verified patient on Doctify

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My cataract surgery was a great experience. My vision is now brighter; overall, I felt informed and secure throughout, and I am glad I did it and definitely recommend Sharmina Khan. Everyone at the hospital was great, very professional, friendly, and treated me very nicely. During the surgery, I didn’t feel any pain at any time. The recovery was very easy and smooth.

Verified patient on Doctify

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I was very nervous about having cataract surgery, as I have other medical conditions in both eyes. Ms. Khan allayed all of my fears and explained everything in detail to me. Now that both surgeries are completed, I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. I’m seeing things I’ve not been able to see properly in years. Amazing!

Verified patient on Doctify

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ms. Sharmina Khan is an outstanding eye consultant. She took the time to listen attentively to my concerns and provided thoughtful, easy-to-understand explanations. Her depth of knowledge and ability to address my questions left me thoroughly satisfied with her services. I highly recommend Ms. Sharmina Khan to anyone seeking expert eye care and guidance.

Verified patient on Doctify

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I had cataract surgery in both eyes. The procedure was painless, easy to understand, and swift. My anxiety levels were very low, and recovery was quick and easy. I was just so relaxed. My vision was like being Wonder Woman. It was so clear, and it was like someone had cleaned a window. Now, my vision is fine for reading, computer use, and using a sewing machine.

Verified patient on Doctify

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Extremely happy with vision following cataract surgery. I wish I had it done sooner. The colors I am experiencing, I didn’t know existed. The experience was really good; it wasn’t much painful. I really enjoyed the sandwiches afterward. When I got home, I saw every little mark on the walls and now am cleaning up!

Verified patient on Doctify

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

6/5. Incredibly impressed with Miss Khan’s bedside manner and operation and consultation. I have had the Synergy toric lens and have experienced a dramatic increase in distance vision. Now, I am able to read stuff on the television perfectly, and reading small print, I can now read the back of a tin of beans!

Verified patient on Doctify

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Miss Khan was very professional, and both my eyes had trifocal intra-ocular lens implants (toric in the left). The risks and benefits were explained to my satisfaction, and I was very nervous. However, the procedure and the recovery were painless. I now have perfect unaided vision in both eyes and would recommend Miss Khan, 10 out of 10.

Verified patient on Doctify

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I’m so pleased I sought Sharmina Khan’s help. My dry eye problem was debilitating. I turned up to my appointment in a very worried state and left reassured. My eyes are now vastly better. I feel in good hands. Thank you!

Verified patient on Doctify

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I have had Lipiflow a few times now, and I couldn’t do without it because it really gets rid of my gritty and sore eyes for months at a time. Lipiflow has helped me go back to doing normal things without getting frustrated, like driving, tolerating air conditioning, generally tolerating different humidity levels, and not feeling like I need to use eye drops all the time. I would highly recommend it.

Verified patient on Doctify

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Unlock your vision’s potential with our quick 2-minute quiz!

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Unlock Your Vision’s Potential with our quick 2-Minute quiz!

Embrace a world where glasses are a thing of the past and quickly discover if refractive lens exchange is the right choice for you. Uncover the possibilities of a life with crystal-clear vision, tailored to your unique needs.

Sharmina Khan

MBBS(Lond) MSc FHEA FRCOphth DipCRS CertLRS, Consultant Eye Surgeon

Hi, I’m Sharmina Khan

I am a specialist Cataract & Lens Consultant Surgeon based in London at Moorfields Private Eye Hospital.

I have carried out over 7000+ cataract/lens procedures in the last 10 years across both my private and NHS practices.

In my private clinic I offer my clients bespoke Premium Cataract Care Pathways. There are options so that you can achieve your dreams of better vision and more, according to your lifestyle needs.